- Thread starter IslandDreaming
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Occidental El Embajador
Well I know that Trujillo had it built in the mid 50s [1956 I believe, to celebrate 25 years in power at the time. The penthouse was built for Trujillo's personal use.
I've heard that American actor Steve McQueen did a lot of the woodwork there - before he became an actor. Elegant old place with beautiful grounds. I actually met Mr. AE at the pool there [no, he wasn't a hotel employee] in 1975, and stayed there many times.
At the same time, he decided to have a huge fair as part of the celebration, and he 'found' a tract of land that locals still call "La Feria" which stretched from Lincoln to where Coca Cola is, from malecon to Independencia. He "found" Mr. AE's grandparents' farm, where he was born.
I've heard that American actor Steve McQueen did a lot of the woodwork there - before he became an actor. Elegant old place with beautiful grounds. I actually met Mr. AE at the pool there [no, he wasn't a hotel employee] in 1975, and stayed there many times.
At the same time, he decided to have a huge fair as part of the celebration, and he 'found' a tract of land that locals still call "La Feria" which stretched from Lincoln to where Coca Cola is, from malecon to Independencia. He "found" Mr. AE's grandparents' farm, where he was born.
The hotel is OK by international standards... rooms are roomy and the bathrooms dated when I stayed there
Yes, all the Havana scenes of Godfather II were filmed in Santo Domingo. All the hotel scenes were at the Embajador, including the penthouse, remember they served the cake up there? The hotel employees in the film were the real hotel employees.
I think Andy Garcia chose it for a film he's directing or directed too.
I think Andy Garcia chose it for a film he's directing or directed too.
I agree, the rooms have been redone several times, but still have a dated look. But the grounds and pool area are beautiful. Been many years since I stayed there.
Thanks AE, interesting about Steve McQueen. do you have any information about the use of the hotel by American Embassy and military personnel during occupation?
Have stayed there a couple times, it is definitely a "business" hotel catering to same, I like the so termed "dated" decor, connections to times past in the DR
Yes, I forgot about that....it was used by the US as housing during the 'revolution' in 1965.
I think it was the first large hotel in Santo Domingo too.
It's a business hotel in more ways then one... the business ladies were checking out the guest at the entrance to the dining room at night... forget about smoking a cigar on the terrace...
Then during the day it's full of nicely dressed Dominicans
Occidental El Embajador, Hispaniola and Hotel Santo Domingo seem to bring me back to a different era, back when Trujillo ruled and life was certainly different
The Occidental El Embajador and Hispaniola have two of the largest and nicest pools I have sen in DR, was this typical of the era or.....?
I don't know if it has changed, but the poolside breakfast buffet at Hispaniola was tremendous. It was unfortunate to see, but during my last visit to Hispaniola (Circa 2005) the hotel and grounds were in desperate need of repair, the disco had taken over at night with loud kids and drunks, sad for such a stately hotel
The Occidental El Embajador and Hispaniola have two of the largest and nicest pools I have sen in DR, was this typical of the era or.....?
I don't know if it has changed, but the poolside breakfast buffet at Hispaniola was tremendous. It was unfortunate to see, but during my last visit to Hispaniola (Circa 2005) the hotel and grounds were in desperate need of repair, the disco had taken over at night with loud kids and drunks, sad for such a stately hotel
I agree with you about the Embajador and Hispaniola, not so much the Hotel Santo Domingo. Yes, the first two have wonderful pools. The Embajador and the Hispaniola also used to have two diving boards too, one of them very high. My husband and kids loved to dive. I liked to watch
I spent a week at the Embajador. Large rooms with balconies which felt enclosed. Solid concrete mid-century building which represented real progress when it was built. Interesting to read here about the wood carvings. they really do stand out in the lobby. There is a casino i never set foot in. A decent business center and historic photographs along a side corridor. The food was ok, the baked goods at breakfast disappointing. fresh liquada of melon, etc each day was great. Delicious well made over-priced cocktails. There was a parade of very smartly dressed dominicans engaged in business during the day and usual evening functions like a wedding. The term dated used above applies, but I liked it and I will stay there again.